Horn button



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,555

H. M. DENYES HORN BUTTON Filed Feb.l5. 1926 Snow Roz 17477: M Dag/66 till lfatcnted 7,

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HARRY M. DENYES, F SAGINAEV, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL MOTORS COR- PQRATILN, OE DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A COBPURATION 9F DELAWARE.

HORN BUTTON.

Application filed February My invention relates to switches and more particularly switches for horns.

Une of the objects of my invention is to provide a practical horn button switch of simple and inexpensive construction. free of rattle, of simple assemblage and positive in operation. @ther objects of my inven tion will appear hereinafter.

My invention consists in the novel arrangement and construction of nuts as hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification and pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of the upper end of a steering column illustrating a device mounted thereon which embodies the features of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on Figure 1 at the plane of the line and looking' in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the S shaped ring shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the plane of the line 4l4 on Figure 1.

Like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the differentfigure-s.

My device is adapted to be mounted on the steering column of an automobile of any of the usual types. I

Keyed to the upper extremity of the steering column 41 is the steering wheel 5 locked thereon by the nut 6. A tube 7 extending upwardly through the said column lcarries a. housing 8 composed of upper and lowersupporting plates 9 and 10, the said housing having mountedthcreon actuating levers 11 and 11;

Formed on the upper supporting: member is a hollow boss or cylindrical extension '12 which encloses and supports the contact mechanism 18, which preferably comprises a button 14;, a bridge or ring support 15 an insulation block 16 in which is embedded a hollow conducting member 17 and a resilient member or spring 18.

The various parts assume preferably the construction and shape as shown in the dranving that is the button head 19 is shaped to provide a suitable annular groove "20 surrounding the boss 21 to receive the The boss upper surface of the said boss 12. 21 of the button head has embedded therein a. suitable fastening device such as hollow 15, 1926'. Serial No. 88,338.

The bridge 15 comprises a circular ring formed with a depending supporting arm 25, in this instance, integral with the ring. The said supporting arm 25 is conveniently provided with a threaded aperture 26 to receive the set screw 27 fitted in a countersunk aperture 27 in the hollow boss 12 for the purpose of clamping the said bridge 15 in position. The bridge 15 is conveniently formed with a pair of depending tabs and 28 which extend through suitable slots formed-in the block 16 and the spring 18 for receiving them, and are folded inwardly against the block to rigidly attach the block and the spring 18 to the said bridge The said spring 18 preferably assumes the shape of the letter S. As will be seen in Figure 3, there is provided aflat central elevated portion 29 supported by a pair of resilient arms 30. There is formed in the elevated portion 29 a suitable aperture v30 to receive the extended end of the said rivet 22. i I

The insulation block 16 preferably assumes the shape of a rectangular block formed with curved ends conforming substantially with the contour of the hollowboss 12. A threaded aperture is conveniently provided through one side of the conduct ing member 17 and the material of the insulation block therearound may be so shaped as to provide a clear space surrounding the clamping screw 31 which effects an electrical' connection between the wire 32 and l the said conducting member 17. By the above arrangement, it will be seen that when the conducting member is grounded against the boss 12 of the supporting plate 10 the circuit of the horn will be closed; By reason of the relatively long bearing of the ring support and the relatively large sliding sur-- face of the guiding member 23, no tilting or rocking of the horn button will be experi enced; and yet a thrust imparted to the button off the center line will actuate the horn.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have made a construction, disposition and combination of various parts which will Lil fully attain the objects hereinbefore set forth. Modification ot the above may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A switch comprising a base of insulalion material, a stationary contact nicmber carried thereby, a guide of relatively extended guiding surface mounted over the said base, an actuating member slidably mounted in the guide, and an S shaped spring inter-connected between the said guide and the last named member adapted to normally urge the said actuating member into inoperative position.

2. A circuit breaking mechanism includ ing a. base of insulation material, a stationary contact member, a movable contact membet, a guide ring, a guiding member slidably mounted in the said ring and carrving the said movable contact having a relative! y extended, and broad guiding surface to adapt the said movable contact member to be actuated by thrusts imparted ot'f the center line of the said member, and an S shaped spring normally urging the said movable contact member into inoperative position.

3. In a switch, the combination ola housing, a ring support mounted in said housing, an actuating member slidably mounted in said ring support, arentral conducting member secured withinthe said housing and resilient means clamped tothe said actuating member and the said ring support, to

" maintain normallya spaced relation between member slidably mounted in said ring support, an insulation block carried underneath the said bridge, a central conducting member embedded in the said insulation block, clamping means associated with the said conducting member for eliectingan electrical contact with the said member, a resilient member to urge the said actuating member upwardly out of contacting relation with the said central conducting member, means associated with the said bridge to support the outer portion of thc'said resilient member and means associated with the said actuating member tor clamping the central portion of the said resilient member thereunto.

(3. In a switch, the eombiuatimi ot a housing, a bridge mounted thereacross comprising a ring hearing, an actuating member slidably mountedin the said bearing cone prising a button head .lormed with an annular groove adapted to receive the upper surface of the said housing and formed with a central boss having embedded therein a lastoning implement, a guiding member adapted to lit over the said boss, a resilient member comprising an S shaped spring having an elevated portion clamped to the said guiding member by means of the a'lj'oresaid fastening in'iplement, means associated with the said bridge to retain the bottom por ion of the said resilient member in lixed relation with respect to the said bridge, an insulation base carried in the said housing, a cimtral conducting member embedded therein, and means carried in the said conducting member for establishing an electrical contact therewith.

T. A circuit breaking mechanism including a housing. a bridge support mounted in the said housing. an insulation block dis" posedin the said housing. a central conduct ing member embedded in the said llltitli. means to establish an electrical contact with the said conducting member, an actuating member provided with a wide elongated guiding surface having a diameter substantially equal to two-thirds of the diameter o i' the said housing and adapted to engage an elongated bearing of the said bridge and an S shaped spring urging normally the said actuating member into inoperiltire position.

'In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

HARRY M. DENYICS.

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